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Explanation for:
Matthew
13
:
9
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
8
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Let those who are able to hear, listen! Indeed, those who possess the ability to hear have received this message, for by His grace, this voice has reached the hearts of all. Yet among the listeners, some, exercising their free will, choose to follow their own desires after hearing this call. There are those who recognize these desires but do not act upon the awareness of what is required from them. He concealed in His physical form that which was challenging to perceive with the eye, while revealing openly that which could be understood through reflection. It was difficult to perceive Him through sight; however, it was easy to grasp His teachings. They were not chastised for failing to see His divinity, but for rejecting the words that expressed His divine nature."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Redeemer addressed the peoples within the congregations, affirming the enigma of His words, and remarked: He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Luke 8:8). If all that is inscribed is not revealed by the one who holds the key of David—who opens and no one can shut, and shuts and no one can open—it will remain closed, regardless of who else attempts to unveil it."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Lord teaches that individuals who possess spiritual discernment ought to comprehend this truth in a deeper sense. While many have the ability to hear, they do not truly listen; hence, He emphasizes: ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.’"},{"author-name":"Tichon of Zadonsk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989ff6b5b4c943e70095_Tichon%20of%20Zadonsk.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"An individual with unobstructed physical hearing can grasp all that is spoken. When confronted with something dreadful, he is filled with fear; upon hearing something joyous, he finds solace; a humorous remark brings forth laughter; and when he encounters something he yearns for, he seeks it earnestly. Similarly, a Christian possessing the attentive ears of the spirit hears every utterance of God, allowing it to penetrate deeply into his soul, propelling him forward with divine force, much like a horse spurred on. The word of God possesses a unique spiritual energy, impacting the human soul akin to the way strong spirits influence the senses. As the word of God is of a spiritual nature, it guides the soul toward divine undertakings.\\n\\nThis discerning Christian apprehends the righteous decree of God and feels trepidation. He hears of eternal damnation and is filled with dread, striving to escape it. When he hears of eternal life and its joys, his heart rejoices, and he earnestly desires to attain it. Recognizing the grave and destructive nature of sin, he resolutely guards against it. He perceives the beauty and benefits of virtue and makes every effort to embrace it. When the call to repentance rings out, he feels an instinctual urge to seek forgiveness and contemplates how best to act on it practically. When convicted of sin, he sees his own failings and is crushed by remorse, compassion for God, feeling a sharp pang within, often shedding tears from a contrite heart.\\n\\nUpon hearing the marvelous goodness of God as manifested in the incarnation of His Son, he is filled with astonishment at this loving and saving providence. He becomes aware that he is among those for whom the Son of God was sent, to ‘seek and to save the lost’ (Matthew 18:11), and expresses heartfelt gratitude, humbly adoring the merciful God for His grace. He hears the uplifting message of the Gospel and senses within himself a profound spiritual comfort. The Gospel, as the joyful tidings from heaven to humanity, offers solace to all receptive souls. This illustrates the transformative impact of God's word when it penetrates the depths of the heart.\\n\\nThus, the word of God, which permeates the Christian's inner being, rejuvenates and enlightens him, rendering him wise, reverent, godly, and sanctified—truly ‘a new creature ... in Christ’ (2 Cor. 5:17). Just as a fragrance spreads throughout a home when a soothing balm is applied, the word of God, acting as a spiritual balm, beautifies the soul. The essence of this balm includes reverence for God, love for Him and one’s neighbor, repentance, heartfelt sorrow for sin, humility, sighs of longing, brokenness, and spiritual joy. The Holy Spirit cultivates this heavenly aroma within the soul through His sacred word.\\n\\nBeloved Christian, you too can experience this divine fragrance within your spirit when you detach yourself from the clamor and distractions of worldly desires and attune your heart to the voice of God. How can someone solely preoccupied with the fleeting vanities of this world truly appreciate the transformative power of God’s word? Cast aside those harmful distractions that drown out the divine message, and your soul will savor that heavenly balm. Shift your focus away from pursuits of worldly honor, wealth, and recognition; stop contemplating how to amass riches, host lavish gatherings, construct grand homes, or adorn yourself in finest attire. Instead, prioritize the acquisition of eternal salvation above all else in your plans and endeavors. Only then will your soul be receptive to God's word and yield its fruit. Otherwise, even if you memorize the Scriptures and other Christian writings, they will serve you little if you cling to worldly distractions that hinder God's word from reaching your heart. Let go of those distractions; welcome the word of God into your soul."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In conclusion of this parable, the Heavenly Teacher proclaimed: WHOEVER HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET THEM HEAR! Those who seek to understand the truth and do not ignore the whispers of their conscience should reflect on the significance of this parable and take it to heart."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In a place like Galilee, the imagery presented in this parable would have been immediately recognizable and relatable. The sower could very well have been visible to onlookers as he cast seeds onto a freshly plowed field on a hill that sloped down towards the lake. As the audience knew well, some of the seeds fell along the path, and birds came and ate them. Others fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil; they sprang up quickly but withered away because they lacked deep roots and were scorched by the sun. Still others fell among thorns, which, both then and now, flourished in Palestine, and the thorns choked the young plants. Yet some seeds fell on fertile soil and yielded a bountiful harvest: one produced a hundredfold, another sixtyfold, and another thirtyfold. After sharing this parable, the Savior powerfully stated: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!” This remark was significant, as many in the crowd, though they could hear, lacked the insight to grasp the meaning of the parable."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the initial parable delivered to the crowds gathered by the Sea of Gennesaret, the Lord illustrated the profound mystery of His kingdom, emphasizing that not everyone who hears the proclamation of the kingdom will be participants in it. This raises important questions: if not all are included, who is and why? Additionally, among the participants, would they all possess the same level of commitment? Previously, the Lord had indicated that the children of the kingdom could also be excluded, though this was primarily directed at the Apostles. This assertion holds considerable weight, as it may have led many to harbor false hopes through carelessness. For the Jews, grasping this truth in its entirety was especially challenging. Thus, the Lord conveyed His lesson through the parable of the seed and the four types of soil. The sower scattered the seeds, which were uniformly the same, yet the soil varied, leading to differing outcomes; three portions of the seeds failed to thrive while only one quarter yielded fruit, and not all with equal abundance. Through this, the Lord illustrated the impact of His message among the Jewish people, both in the present and in the future. In some hearts, it encountered complete rejection, as seen with the Pharisees; in others, it was initially welcomed but lacked genuine depth or total acceptance. Soon, persecution from their fellow countrymen would arise, causing those followers to abandon the gospel if they were not steadfast. Moreover, if the threat of persecution did not deter them, the worries of daily life would choke the word of God within them, preventing them from striving to cleanse their souls from sinful inclinations. Many who are now turning from the crowd to Christ fall into these categories. Ultimately, only a handful will keep the word of the kingdom alive and active in their lives, and even among them, their commitment will vary in degree."},{"author-name":"Strannik (Journal)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In this parable, the Lord instructs us that while many may hear the message of God, few truly comprehend and adhere to Christ's teachings. Who is the sower? That is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. What does the seed represent? It is the word of God. What do the different places where the seed lands signify? They represent the hearts of mankind. What about the seed that falls by the path? This signifies individuals who, though they hear the word of God, engage with it merely through their ears without their hearts being involved. What do the birds symbolize? They represent Satan and the various temptations he employs to quench the word of God within us. What does the rocky ground indicate? It symbolizes those of shallow faith who, in favorable conditions, joyfully receive the word of God and act upon it; however, when faced with trials and tribulations, they quickly turn away, lose heart, and start to complain against God. And what of the thorns that choke the seed? They signify those who become entangled in worldly concerns; the anxieties of life and the allure of wealth suffocate the word of God within them. What does the good soil represent? It stands for individuals who are genuine believers, who attentively and reverently hear the word of God in prayer; not only do they listen, but they also fulfill its teachings. What is the fruit? This refers to the righteous acts that naturally follow the hearing of God’s word. What do the terms a hundredfold, sixtyfold, and thirtyfold indicate in this parable? They illustrate that even among those who sincerely believe and continually engage with God’s word, there is variation in the good works they produce. Therefore, it is essential for us to introspect thoroughly to discern which category our hearts belong to—we must seek divine assistance for the good seed to take deep root within us. \\n\\nHe that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:9. \\nWatch how you hear. Luke 8:18. \\nMartha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Luke 10:41-42. \\nBut now having been set free from sin and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit for holiness, and the end is everlasting life. Romans 6:22. \\nBy this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8. \\nBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23."}]}
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